You can reduce the sodium content in feta cheese by soaking it in milk or water.
Here's a detailed explanation and method:
Leaching Sodium from Feta
Feta cheese is known for its salty flavor, which comes from the brine it's stored in. If you find it too salty, you can reduce the sodium content through a simple soaking process.
Method: Soaking in Milk
This is a preferred method as milk can help retain some of the feta's flavor while reducing the saltiness.
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Prepare the Milk Bath: Find a container large enough to hold the feta and enough milk to cover it completely, allowing about 25% extra space for the liquid.
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Submerge the Feta: Place the feta in the container and pour fresh milk (any type works, but whole milk might preserve more flavor) over it until it's fully submerged.
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Refrigerate and Soak: Cover the container and refrigerate for 1 to 2 days. The milk will draw out some of the salt from the feta. The longer it soaks, the less salty it will become.
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Taste Test: After the soaking period, taste a small piece of the feta. If it's still too salty, you can continue soaking it for longer, checking periodically.
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Final Rinse and Storage: Once the desired saltiness is achieved, remove the feta from the milk. You can rinse it briefly with fresh water if desired. Store the feta in a container with fresh water or a light brine (less salty than the original) in the refrigerator.
Method: Soaking in Water
This is a faster method, but it might also remove more of the feta's inherent flavor.
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Prepare the Water Bath: Similar to the milk method, find a container and use fresh, cold water.
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Submerge and Soak: Submerge the feta in the water.
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Short Soaking Time: Soak for a shorter period than with milk. Start with 30 minutes and taste. You might need to soak it for up to a few hours, depending on how salty the feta is. Change the water every hour for better results.
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Taste and Adjust: Regularly taste the feta to avoid removing too much salt.
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Rinse and Store: Once the desired saltiness is reached, rinse with fresh water and store in fresh water in the refrigerator.
Important Considerations:
- Taste Regularly: The soaking time depends on the specific feta and your personal preference. Taste the feta regularly to avoid over-desalting it.
- Storage After Soaking: Once soaked, the feta will not last as long as it did in its original brine. Keep it refrigerated and consume it within a few days.
- Flavor Impact: Soaking will alter the flavor of the feta. Milk is generally preferred over water as it helps retain more of the cheese's characteristic taste.
